Tuesday, April 05, 2011

March Round-Up

I fully recognize I haven't posted anything here in over a month. Not going to bore you with a long list of excuses. It is what it is.

I haven't jumped back in to the submission process just yet, but haven't been sitting on my thumbs counting zombies either. Pulled out several short stories from the dusty shelf pile. Began the first round of edits on them (or at least some of them). I've read through and made notes on four of them. Twenty or so more to go.

The Horror Hounds from the horror section of Absolute Write are holding a novella contest. There's a lot of cool prizes including a publishing contract with Black Label Books. What I like about this contest is the contract isn't set in stone. They seem to be very flexible. You don't have to accept the contract if you don't want to. Plus, if you don't even win, you still get feedback. I haven't been published in almost two years. I can use the feedback. The bonus is its a theme I'm quite familiar with. Spent the last seven years researching storylines like this.

So far, I have about 2100 words written but I can totally get it done by the beginning of May. Just gotta find two sticks and get the fire under my butt to blazing. More details on the 2011 Horror Hounds Contest: http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=206314.

I'm outta here! Happy Tuesday folks!

BTW - like the new look???

Mail Call

Look what I got in the mail today. Of course, I ordered this before I found out the decision had been made to shut down Necrotic Tissue (You can read the details here). Loved the content, graphics and layout this magazine produced and was hoping to break in to it. Unfortunately that won't happen now. Just a darn shame.

Can we please have a moment of silence?

Myspace Divorce

So, my relationship with Myspace was fair....at first. Last year, we commenced in a long separation due to a lot of change on its behalf. The funky new look. The logo change. A reconnection was attempted last month, but I knew it was over. *tear*

With divorce comes a lot of sadness and the tedious chore of dividing property. It has all been decided. I will take the hundred or so messages, blog posts, pictures, and well....my page (or rather dump it entirely). All of it will take weeks because Myspace insists on slowing the process. It can keep the rest.

My focus has been switched to the other side until Facebook stops being cool too. Then, I'll pray Twitter sticks to doing what it does best although it's new look is starting to give me doubts.

If I don't return by March, you'll know something went totally wrong with this transition and it'll be totally Myspace's fault no matter what it says. :o)

BBRRAAAIIINNNSSS!!!

I could certainly use this book for translation purposes. The other zombies would get a hardy laugh at my expense if I don't get the pronunciations just right especially on a day like today. Although the snow may provide us with some safety. If we can't get through, surely they can't either. Anyways...

It's Tweet Like a Zombie Day!!! You know how quirky those zombies are about their twitter. Happy 71st birthday George Romero!

RAHHHhh...RAHHHhh....BBRAAAINNSS!!!

Blizzard 2011

A few photos of our little blizzard today. There first two were taken this morning, same angle. I took the last two this afternoon after the snow tapered off.

Our front yard

Poor little windmill is buried by mother nature and digging out our front walk.

Our little pond in the front yard. Poor little goldfish are probably frozen solid.

I have a couple of video clips too, but the quality is rather poor. We received about 12 to 14 inches of snow with a 20% chance of more on Sunday. A lot of people had power outages. Thankfully, we weren't one of them. Fun times...

Giveaway CLOSED

UPDATE - The contest is closed and winners have been notified.

I'm ashamed to say I have neglected my little giveaway for almost two months now. I can blame the holidays, writing or whatever else for poor management but at the end of the day, it sits idly with very few entries. So, please allow me to reorganize.

The same prizes are up for grabs. Two winners will be randomly chosen using Random.org. One will receive a brand new copy of The Walking Dead Vol 1: Days Gone Bye. This is the first six issues of the comic book version of the hit AMC show. The second winner will receive a used copy of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. Anyone who is a fan of Jane Austen and zombies will love this book.

The previous rules were slightly vast. So, allow me to make it simple. Leave a comment with your answer to the trivia question, name and email and you're entered. If you've entered already according to the old rules, you need not have to provide another entry again. Yours has been counted. One entry per person. U.S. residents only. The deadline remains January 31st.

Trivia question: In "Days Gone Bye", why was Rick Grimes in the hospital?

I Blame the Snow

I guess this is the part where I hold my head down in shame. While I have stayed on track with my reading, can't say the same about everything else.

I tell ya it's all the snow's fault. It's all white and shiny, mocking me with its coldness. Who wants to write with all that drama in their face? It's just plain rude.

If that wasn't bad enough, my computer was totally PMSing yesterday. I think she's jealous I've been paying more attention to her more portable counterpart. I'm like "Seriously? Get over it." There's just so much of the silence treatment I'm willing to take.

If you haven't noticed by now, this is me saying I've got a brand new stack of "I'm Totally Innocent" cards and have already cashed one in.

Welcoming the New Year

It seems my first post of the year is way overdue. I read somewhere that if you don't have your Christmas tree down by Jan. 6th it's bad luck. It's January 9th and the tree is still standing tall, looking pretty. At this point, we're milking the bad luck for all it's worth.

I have been thinking about what I want to accomplish this year. 2010 was better than 2009, submission wise. Granted, it was more like one story being sent out to various markets, but I put myself out there. Totally important. All rejections. No acceptances. Not exactly uplifting but the slate is clean.

New goals equals momentary burst of "WooHoo" followed by a realization of how much work new goals bring with them. Here's what I'm hoping to accomplish in 2011:

1. Write more. Excluding Nano, I didn't write much. My Nano novel sits unfinished on my laptop and I have a folder full of ideas. No shortage on project potential.

2. Read. Did quite a bit of reading last year but have since fallen behind on reviews. Must. Catch. Up.

3. Edit more. Naturally, writing's best friend editing is part of the love/hate package. After several years of Nano, I still have a pile of short stories still waiting for a little attention.

4. Interact. Sure I have shared a few giggles with other writers but not so much shop talk. Last couple of years felt like I was always being left out of the loop. Not fun.

The rest is left up to my mood swings and necessities. Or perhaps a flying unicorn will swoop in and give me infinite knowledge of the universe.

Good luck to the masses for a great year!

Inside Spoiler Alert

I don't watch a lot of foreign films in any genres. I don't have any excuses or possible explanations for it. However, after finishing up some online Christmas shopping, I took a gander at the horror DVD selection and came upon this little French film called Inside.

The movie received a lot of good reviews on Amazon to the point that people would erect a temple in its honor and worship it. Bought a used copy and gave it a try. Totally loved it!

The premise is rather simple and unoriginal. A pregnant woman still grieving her husbands death four months prior is home alone preparing to deliver her baby the next day (Christmas coincidentally). An unknown woman shows up requesting to use her phone. Her innocents washes away when she starts revealing details about the woman. The police are called and the stranger disappears but returns later that night. She kills anyone who tries to help the woman all in pursuit of the baby. Like I said, not original.

However, it was the way the movie was filmed that makes it so good. The unknown woman was dressed almost like Morticia Addams which I think adds to her sinister appeal. There's some gore and A LOT of blood. This momma took quite a lickin' and kept on tickin' til the very end. Sliced and stabbed by scissors, smacked by a toaster and a billy club, and gave herself a tracheostomy. The lights went out briefly just as someone was stabbed by the scissors. I think the universe was trying to tell me I wasn't ready for the ending.

The script, camera angles, mood, atmosphere. It all works. Would recommend it to anyone.

The Walking Dead Giveaway

In November, I promised a giveaway and I don't like to disappoint. This contest will run the duration of the month to give everyone a chance to enter. On to the details.

The Walking Dead wrapped up its first season last week. Better yet, it lived up to the hype that surrounded it. For those die hard fans, I have a copy of The Walking Dead Vol 1: Days Gone Bye to give away. This book is a compilation of the first six issues of the comic book. Go crazy on the compare and contrast.

The second prize up for grabs is a new twist on an old story. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies By: Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith takes the classic novel beloved by many and tosses plot and characters right in the middle of the land of zombies. This book received some major buzz, resulting in a possible movie (starring Natalie Portman), comic book series and it's own video game. But it all started with the book and here's your chance to own a copy.

How to Enter:

Winners will be randomly drawn using Random.org. First person chosen will get first pick of the prizes. This contest is for US Residents only. Deadline is December 31st. There are several ways to enter, each point equals an entry:

1+ - New Follower
2+ - Old Follower
3+ - Tweet about the contest. (Include @sthrnwriter in your tweet)
5+ - List the contest on your sidebar (Include link to your blog)
8+ - Blog about contest (Include link to your post)
10+ - Tell me who your favorite Walking Dead or Pride and Prejudice and Zombie character is and why.

Leave a comment (1 per person), itemizing your points with any mandatory links. Also include your name and email address. Good Luck!!!

I Crossed the Finish Line/Zombie Giveaway News

After twenty-nine days of talking myself in circles, stacks of useless dialogue and very little action scenes, I finally stumbled over the finish line with a word count of 51,400 words. I wish I could say I'm doing the jumping for joy and releasing balloons, but I can't muster up any excitement. Even the smooth vocals of one Enrique Iglesias singing "Bialamos" on the radio couldn't lift my spirits.

Have I accomplished something? Yes. I keep trying to convince myself that I've done something thousands of others couldn't or wouldn't. It's like I wrote the 50K words. I validated it to have proof. Then downloaded all the pretty graphics to show everyone what I did which by the way, we should at least get a bumper sticker or something after all that. The online pretties just don't seem as satisfying anymore.

The 50K just doesn't feel challenging anymore. If I participate for a fifth year, I'm going for it. 75,000 words in one month. That's right. I said it or rather typed it. I realized I need a bigger challenge. This isn't working anymore. So, come back next year and witness me write myself to death. Perhaps it'll be a first.

I

n other news, my friend Autumnforest is putting together a Blogger Zombie Walk. On December 10th, participating bloggers will display their finest zombie material. Some are even doing giveaways.

I'm considering joining in on the fun under my Ghost Stories persona. I've had zombies on the brains for an entire month, why not? I promised my GS readers a giveaway. I was planning on waiting until after the holidays but before could be good too. If I can get my money ducks in a row on time, I will be giving away The Walking Dead, Vol. 1: Days Gone Bye (paperback) which is a collection of the first six issues of the comic book and a copy of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by: Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith (paperback). I'm sure I won't have any problems with the money issue considering Christmas is just around the corner. So, be on the lookout for that.

Happy Thanksgiving

Funny graphics comment

Have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving! Watch out for those Giant Turkey creatures. I won't be able to rescue you. My space ship is in the shop. They're talking an arm and a leg just to get it out. Drama. Drama. Drama.

One Week Left

I can't believe there's only one week left in Nano. It seemed to go by pretty fast. My current word count on Sleeping Ashes (working title) is at 40,544. Broke 40K yesterday (Ha! that rhymes). One thing I don't like about this challenge is that it takes place in the same month as Thanksgiving. After family, pie and turkey, who the hell wants to write?

While on the subject of turkey, who came up with the bright idea to reinvent the turducken by putting bacon on it? Any more meat gets put on or in this bird and the turkey is going to experience an identity crisis. On a brighter note, it's going to be interesting to see if our neighbors finally burn their house down this year. Apparently, no one gave them the memo stating not to put the deep fryer practically in the garage while cooking the turkey.

Who's ready for Black Friday?

Day 10

First of all, I want to thank all those who left encouraging comments on here and facebook after my most recent rejection. It's a difficult process but I'm marching on. Any zombies want to join me?

This is the end of Day 10 of National Novel Writing Month. My current word count sits at 17,898 words. Still quite a bit ahead. Ran in to another wall of a different variety (tired of getting a face full of concrete). The keyboard on my laptop decided to go strike. I'm not sure what happened. Was in the middle of a sentence and it just stopped working. I plugged my desktop keyboard in to it and it worked. The only problem is I don't have the space to use another keyboard. I guess I'm stuck with the desktop for the time being. I'm not giving in to it's demands!

Below, I treat you with a clip seen on Syfy's Fact or Faked: Paranormal Files. Supposedly, it depicts poltergeist activity in an L.A. apartment and the person who filmed it was never seen again after all this. I think that's all a load of crap. But the effect is kind of cool. Looks like something out of a horror movie. Maybe it'll inspire a scene in your WIP. Enjoy!

PodCastle Rejection

Dear Ms Allison,

Thanks for thinking of Podcastle, but I'm afraid "Sealed With Anguish" doesn't suit our needs.

Best of luck with your work.

Ann Leckie
Associate Editor
http://podcastle.org

I'm beginning to think this story is never getting published. Running out of places to send it.

In Battle

The last time I used Q10 for Nano I had problems with spell check. Not too much worried about that this time around. However, I've stumbled on to a new problem. Q10 has this little issue with highlighting large passages of text and deleting it at the touch of a key before anyone can spot the error.

I've had three near heart attacks, some stern warnings and a few screamfests. I know such things won't coax it in to behaving, but tends to make me feel better sometimes. If I wasn't an obsessive saver, I would dump it for something new and pretty. The nifty typewriter sounds are the only thing keeping it in my good graces at the moment, but if it doesn't straighten up and fly right, there will be a battle royal.

Anyone want to buy tickets?

Nano is a Go

I'm writing this at the end of Day 2. If you're not participating in National Novel Writing Month then I'm sure you're rolling your eyes or spitting pea soup at your computer screen for being force fed another post on the event. Whatever, I don't care. As of now, I'm sitting pretty at 3, 592 words. Totally on schedule. With everything else, not so much. Here's the rundown of things:

Since acquiring DSL, we've ditched both of our phone lines (home and computer) as well as AOL. I've had my AOL email address for several years. Acquired a stack of emails and contacts. I forwarded all my emails to another account via yahoo. Printed out my contact sheet. All good on that front. Then, while logging in to my Blogger account, it hit me. I've used my AOL email as a username on several websites. This led to me scrambling for days trying to remember each and every website. So, not fun. I sent an email to everyone I could think of but in case you don't know and actually care, all emails are to be redirected to sthrnwriter @ yahoo . com (without spaces). Can't say I didn't warn ya.

October is done and over with. This calls for my final #10bythen tally. Ready for a shocker? Are ya? Are ya? I didn't come close to achieving the goal. I think I picked the wrong month to toss my name in to the hat. I didn't get ten shipped out but I managed to send one. Submitted "Sealed With Anguish" to PodCastle per Pseudopod's recommendation. Maybe give it another go in December.

To top it all, I'm behind in book reviews. I hate being behind. It's so not fair to the writers who sent in their requests. Trying to figure out how I can get back on track and still kick butt in Nano.

I sooo need a nap.....

PS: My non prioritized time has left me unable to read and comment on blogs as of late. Many apologies but blog reading seems to be my end of the week treat for hitting all Nano goals. Please don't say anything interesting until then, K?

Faith Slightly Restored

I have to say my faith in our postal system was restored...slightly yesterday. Look what I got in the mail:

I won one of John Wolfe's Season of Shadows giveaways. The 4th season of A Haunting DVD box set was the prize but John always manages to add a few extra goodies. My little goodie bag included candy and foam critters. I love people who are big in to Halloween. Not many people around here go all out for the holiday. It's so sad. If you're not following his blog, you should be. Hint Hint...

Mail Hell

Look what I got in the mail yesterday:

The two cassette tapes from the Braille Library in Los Angeles, California was suppose to be a Nightmare on Elm Street hat, a little trinket I won in a giveaway. This is becoming a very bad habit. I've had several books that were sent to me for review mysteriously get lost in the mail just to add to this fiasco. To top it all, the postal service wanted to raise the price of stamps for like the third time this year. Why? With service like this, who would want to pay more to have their stuff lost or damaged?

It's one of those times I wish I had a magic wand or something. I could just zap things from one place to the other without the use of the middle man. Would be nice....

Tuesday, April 05, 2011

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Wednesday, February 09, 2011

Friday, February 04, 2011

Tuesday, February 01, 2011

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Friday, January 21, 2011

Sunday, January 09, 2011

Friday, December 17, 2010

Friday, December 10, 2010

Monday, November 29, 2010

Friday, November 26, 2010

Monday, November 22, 2010

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Friday, November 05, 2010

Tuesday, November 02, 2010

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Friday, October 15, 2010

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